Drawbar for towing automobiles and the like



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l DRAWBAR FOR TOWING AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIK Fild `Ju `ne 17. 1922 www? Patented Aug. 28, i923.

piti-:n rees vARNOLD F. KNOOPK, 0F PEOTONE, ILLINOS.

Pneus DRAWBAR Fon Towme nu'roMoBiLns AND THE LIKE.

Application led .Tune 17, 1922.

To all whom t may concern.'

Y Be it known that I, ARNOLDv F. KNoor, a citizen ofthe United Stateaand a resident of the city of leotone, county of Will, and State of illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drawbars for rlowing Automobiles and the like, of which the following is a specification. c

This invention relates todraw bars for towing automobiles and the like, and has for its object the provision of a device of this character which will steer a trailing vehicle in such manner that the same will follow the direction of travel of the towing vehicle. y

Other objects will appear hereinafter..

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the laccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Fig. 1 is aside elevation of the yinvention in operative position, showing in section parts of the vehicle to which same is adapted to be attached;` Y

Fig. 2 is a view partly in section on the line'2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in section onthe line 8 3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a view partly in section on the line 444 of Fig. 1.

The vinvention provides a draw bar which may be pivotally and detachably connected to the front axle, and to the tie rod of the `vehicle it is desired to tow,so that when the Aend of the draw bar connected to the towing vehicle is moved in a certain direction, such movement is transmitted to the tie rod of the trailing vehicle and thence to the wheels of such vehicle, so that the trailing vehicle the forward end of the bar is connected tov an extension 14 by means of a suitable universal joint 15. The extension 14 may have a fork or yoke 16 adapted to be engaged with any suitable fastening means upon the towing vehicley (not shown).

' The draw bar 10 is preferably connected Serial No. 563,979.

to the front axle of trailing vehicle-by means of a detachable clamp, which clamp mayv consistof sections 18 and 19, adapted to be secured in the proper position on the aXle 17 by a bolt 20. The section 18 is preferably ,provided with a reduced portion 21,

at the lower end of which is a ball 22, which permitted to rock laterally and vertically.

'may be detachably held'inthe socket provided yin the boss 11, whereby the bar 10 is 65 The rear Vend of the draw bar 10 is con-` l nectedto the tie krod 23 of the trailingvevhicle by means of a clamp which preferably rod by means of a bolt 27. The sectionv 24,

preferably is provided with an extension 27 which projects through the slot 13 in the draw bar 10, and a nut 28 may be threaded on such extension to hold the draw bar in engagement therewith. c By this arrangement when the extension 14 is connected to the towing vehicle the various changes in direction of the towing vehicle are communicated to the tie rod 23 by means of the pivotal movement of the draw bar 10, the ball and socket connection between vthe draw bar 10 and the aXle'17 permitting both lateral and vertical rocking of the draw bar, and the slot in the rear end of the draw bar 10 allowing the requisite play between the extension 27 and the draw bar 10. The universal jointil also takes care of sudden movements of the towing vehicle and also vertical movements imparted to the extension 14 due to inequalities in the roadway, etc. While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spiritof the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited'to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications asV come within the scope of the appended claims. Y

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.Y In combination, a draw bar of a continuous piece of material, said draw bar being adapted to be attached to a towing vehicle; means secured to the outer surface of Said. draw bai, said means `providing a f Socket; means connected to the 'axle of a trailing "vehicle, said means including a portion provided with a ball adapted to engage said socket; and means mounted on the tieV rod of Said trailing Vehicle movably engaging the end olf said draw bar, substantially as described.

2. In combination, a draw bar adapted to be attached to a tiving vehicle, said draw bai' having incline tlieieon providing a socket; means connected to the axle of a" 'trailing vehicle, said means including an eX- tension kprovided` With a,Y ball adapted Ato engige said Sccict; ineens "for moi/ably Securing said dawbar to the tic iod of Saidltrailingl if'ehicle; and a iiniveisal Joint in said draw bai' interposed Vbetween the ulci'um rtlieieot' and tliertoi yin vehicle, substantially as'dcsciribe'l. i

3. In combination, a, draw bar of a coni iniioiis piece of mzitei'iil, .Said draw bar be-r y adapted :to li attaclied'to a 'towing veliicle; ineensV Secured to the outer Surface of sind di'giw bei?. Said means providing a fsocket; means connected to the axle of zi trailing Vehicle7 saidnieansincluding a portion pi'ovidedwitli 2i bell adapted to engageV said socket; :ineens mounted on the; tie rod if Said ti'ailing Vehicle niovably engaging tlie end ot said difmiubci; and i universal joint in said lili-uv bai-iigntei'poscd Ybetween the Tidei-inn i'lieieofiind the towing Vvehicle, Substantially nsgdescribed.

. In. testimony,r whereof {have-Signed my naine `to this specification 'in the presence lof i two subscribing Witnesses.

ARNOLD l?.

'l/Vitnesses JOSHUA R. H Po'iis,v FRANK'J. HINRIGKS.

KNOOP. Y 

